Plomong
Well-known member
Chenal de la Helle to Brest, as planned, or L'Aber-Ildut or L'Aber Wrac'h ???
The skipper, returning to France single-handed at the end of a summer cruise in the West Country and the Kingdom of Cornwall, departed Falmouth yesterday evening and is now about 30 miles NNW of the Four Lighthouse, on schedule to reach the Chenal du Four in good time to catch the slack at high water in the narrowest part of the Chenal. In fact, he is just a bit early, maybe by as much as 2 hours.
Wind has been WSW as forecast, 4-5, with a tendency to become more westerly as he approaches the French coast. Swell is about 1.5 m, from the west.
Just now, at 1000, the skipper has picked up a weather forecast on Navtex which indicates a previously unmentioned cold front will be along soon, and will bring stronger winds, force 5-6, gusting 7, from the NW.
He must now decide whether to proceed as planned to Brest, or stop off at L'Aber-Ildut or L'Aber Wrac'h. He has ruled out Trébeurden, Perros Guirec and Morlaix as too far east.
So now, which will it be, skipper ???
All comments welcome, especially those that address the following questions:
A) At what sea state does the Chenal de la Helle become a no-go and a diversion would be preferable ??
B) Bloc Marine says L'Aber-Ildut is "accessible in all weather, and sheltered from all winds". Is this correct ?? What are forumites opinions ??
C) Block Marine says L'Aber Wrac'h is "not recommended with strong swell or N/NW bad weather". What constitutes "strong swell" ?? What constitutes "bad weather" in this case ?? The Cruising Assoc. Handbook says it is "accessible at all times, open to the NW". What are forumites opinions ??
Over to you.
Plomong
The skipper, returning to France single-handed at the end of a summer cruise in the West Country and the Kingdom of Cornwall, departed Falmouth yesterday evening and is now about 30 miles NNW of the Four Lighthouse, on schedule to reach the Chenal du Four in good time to catch the slack at high water in the narrowest part of the Chenal. In fact, he is just a bit early, maybe by as much as 2 hours.
Wind has been WSW as forecast, 4-5, with a tendency to become more westerly as he approaches the French coast. Swell is about 1.5 m, from the west.
Just now, at 1000, the skipper has picked up a weather forecast on Navtex which indicates a previously unmentioned cold front will be along soon, and will bring stronger winds, force 5-6, gusting 7, from the NW.
He must now decide whether to proceed as planned to Brest, or stop off at L'Aber-Ildut or L'Aber Wrac'h. He has ruled out Trébeurden, Perros Guirec and Morlaix as too far east.
So now, which will it be, skipper ???
All comments welcome, especially those that address the following questions:
A) At what sea state does the Chenal de la Helle become a no-go and a diversion would be preferable ??
B) Bloc Marine says L'Aber-Ildut is "accessible in all weather, and sheltered from all winds". Is this correct ?? What are forumites opinions ??
C) Block Marine says L'Aber Wrac'h is "not recommended with strong swell or N/NW bad weather". What constitutes "strong swell" ?? What constitutes "bad weather" in this case ?? The Cruising Assoc. Handbook says it is "accessible at all times, open to the NW". What are forumites opinions ??
Over to you.
Plomong